The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing 2027 as the likely start date for the major rehabilitation of EDSA, as the Philippines prepares to host the ASEAN Summit in 2026, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.
At the 2024 Post-SONA Forum in San Juan City on Wednesday, Bonoan said the timing of the project will depend on the President’s approval, but acknowledged that launching it ahead of the ASEAN meetings would not be “practicable.”
“Maybe next year or 2027 because there’s an ASEAN meeting,” Bonoan told reporters. “As soon as we have the go signal from the President.”
The EDSA rehabilitation project, with an estimated cost of ₱15 billion, is one of the most critical components of the government’s broad infrastructure agenda. EDSA, a vital 23.8-kilometer arterial road linking Pasay and Caloocan cities, plays a central role in Metro Manila’s transport network.
Bonoan said the DPWH has submitted its recommendations to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., focusing on new construction technologies to minimize traffic disruption and shorten the project timeline.
“We are looking at technology we can use to make the work faster,” Bonoan said. “The President does not want the lanes on EDSA to be closed for too long… We have something to recommend that will not close traffic on EDSA any longer” than necessary.
Earlier this year, President Marcos temporarily halted the planned repairs to avoid worsening Metro Manila’s traffic congestion. The pause has allowed the DPWH and other agencies to explore alternative strategies, including the possible use of advanced construction methods.
While the ₱15-billion price tag could slightly adjust depending on the selected technologies, Bonoan suggested costs may even decrease. “Maybe it’s lower,” he added.
The government continues to conduct a detailed cost-benefit analysis of the project, balancing the long-term structural improvements against potential short-term disruptions to daily commuters.
